1. China
500 to 1000 AD

2. China 500-1000 CE Sui, Tang and Song Dynasties
Chinese dynasties brought about significant improvements in food production and distribution.

3. China 500-1000 CE Which resulted in an increase in population
Rise of urbanization
Specialization in various technologies.

4. Background 220 CE: Collapse of Han dynasty
During the last two centuries of Han rule, large landowners gained influence in the government.
They reduced their own taxes and raised the taxes of the peasants.
There was massive discontent and rebellion.

5. Background Han military generals took power.
Aligning themselves with regional landowners as war lords.
Han dynasty dissolved in regions ruled by
war lords.

6. The Han dynasty Ruled China from 206 BC to AD 220—more than 400 years.
After the dynasty collapsed, military leaders split China into rival kingdoms.

7. The Han dynasty These events began a period of disorder and warfare.
Historians call the Period of Disunion.

8. The Period of Disunion Nomads invaded northern China
Formed their own kingdoms
Many northern Chinese fled south to region of Yangtze River
A number of southern dynasties rose, fell

9. Civilization Thrived
Despite these events, Chinese civilization thrived and developed
Nomadic invaders in north adopted aspects of Chinese civilization

10. Civilization Thrived
Northern Chinese immigrants’ culture blended with local cultures in south
Arts, philosophy flowered

11. The Sui Dynasty 589-618 CE Founded by Yang Jian.
Established himself as a powerful regional warlord.
Conquered other warlords and reunited China.

12. The Sui Dynasty Wendi worked to build centralized government
Restored order, created new legal code, reformed bureaucracy
Created policies to provide adult males with land, ensure availability of grain

13. Sui Dynasty Innovations
Grand Canal: to facilitate trade between northern and southern China.
To make abundant food supplies in south available to north

14. Sui Dynasty Innovations
Transportation and communications network
Distribution of land: equal field system
Government bureaucracy based on merit.

15. Grand Canal
Yangdi forced millions of peasants to work on canal; led to discontent, rebellion
618 AD, Yangdi assassinated, Sui dynasty ended

16. Grand Canal
Greatest accomplishment of Sui dynasty, completed during reign of Yangdi, Wendi’s son
1,000 mile waterway linked northern, southern China
Built in six years

17. The Tang Dynasty Built on Sui Foundations
Established capital at Chang’an, Sui capital
Government control remained centralized
Based on bureaucracy of officials

18. The Tang Dynasty
Tang dynasty ruled 618 to 907; Chinese influence spread
China experienced period of brilliance, prosperity, cultural achievement
Government, other institutions served as models across East Asia

19. The Tang Dynasty Civil Service
To obtain talented officials, Tang expanded civil service examination system
People had to pass written exams to work for government
Created flexible law code; model for law codes in Korea, Japan

20. Foreign Affairs Tang expanded China, Chinese influence
Regained western lands in Central Asia, gained influence over Korea

21. Foreign Affairs
Contact with Japan increased; Japanese scholars came to China to study
Expansion, increased contact with others grew foreign trade

22. Tang 627-907 CE: Expanded territory
Tried to establish a Confucian, benevolent government. Stressed Confucian education and civil service.

23. Tang Improved on developments during Sui dynasty:
Transportation and communications network

24. Tang Distribution of land: equal field system: problems
Rise in population
Government bureaucracy based on merit.
Land given to Buddhist monasteries.

25. Tang Foreign Relations
Tributary relationship with neighboring lands.
Neighbor recognized Chinese emperors as overlords.
Paid tribute in form of gifts.

26. Tang Foreign Relations
Kowtow: ritual prostration before emperor.
Chinese gave gifts and recognition in return.

27. End of Tang Dynasty
Tang dynasty declined in power due to ineffective leadership by later emperors.

28. End of Tang Dynasty
Rebellions occurred and emperors gradually gave over control to regional war lords.

29. End of Tang Dynasty
War lords controlled separate regions until Song dynasty reestablished centralized rule.

30. End of Tang Dynasty
Junior military officer of one of the most powerful war lords in China.
Song had a reputation for honesty and effectiveness

31. Song Taizu (960-976) In 960 his troops proclaimed him emperor.
Song and his troops subdued the other war lords.

32. Song Dynasty 960-1279 CE Did not develop into a powerful state.
Emperors kept military in a subordinate position.
Did not develop into a powerful militaristic state.

33. Song Dynasty
Focused on civil administration, industry, education, and the arts instead of military.
Created a large bureaucracy.

34. End of Song Dynasty Massive bureaucracy created strain on economy.
Raised taxes, and angered the peasants.

35. End of Song Dynasty
Lack of strong military allowed nomadic peoples to gain power.
Nomadic Mongol tribes invaded, ending dynasty in 1279.

36. Social aspects of Tang and Song periods
Agricultural advancements
Population growth
Division of labor

37. Social aspects of Tang and Song periods
Specialization of crafts
Innovations in techniques and new inventions.
Changes in religion.

38. Agricultural development in Tang and Song Periods
Improvements in farming
Heavy iron plows
Oxen and water buffaloes

39. Agricultural development in Tang and Song Periods
Fertilized fields
Irrigation systems
Well organized food distribution system

40. Populations Expansion
Increased food supply resulted in rapid rise in population.
Growth of cities

41. Populations Expansion
Chang’an believed to be the world’s largest city with estimated population of two million during Tang dynasty.
By Song Dynasty, China most urbanized area in the world.

42. Economy Abundant food supply allowed division of labor.
Specialization in technological areas
Improved existing technologies and invented new products.

43. Innovations in China Paper Printing Letters of credit/ cash
Gunpowder/ explosives

44. Innovations in China The magnetic compass Porcelain, fine china.
Improvements in production of iron and steel

45. Decline of Confucianism
During Han dynasty, elites and intellectuals embraced Confucian traditions.

46. Decline of Confucianism
Confucian traditions were believed to ensure social order and stability.

47. Decline of Confucianism
Collapse of Han dynasty and
disintegration of China into warring states
Interest in Confucianism lessened.